Joint health exercise system

ABSTRACT

A joint health exercise device and system to exercise the knee and shoulder joints of the body after an injury or surgery to the joints of the knee and shoulder and to tone and exercise the healthy joints of knees and shoulders. Use of the joint health exercise device of the invention reduces pain and swelling of the joints after an injury or surgery, decreases post surgical scar tissue formation and increases the range of motion of the shoulders, shoulder flexion, abduction, scaption and extension and speeds up functional recovery time of the knees and legs to facilitate standing, sitting and walking with the least restrictive assistive device or no assistive device at all. The joint health exercise device of the invention is light weight, portable and easy to use at home or when traveling.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Reference No. 61/810,241 filed Apr. 9, 2013 which is incorporated herein in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to exercise machines and exercise devices used to condition and tone the human body. More particularly, the invention relates to a resistance band exercise kit to condition and tone the various joints in the body.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Exercise machines in the market today are predominantly designed for burning calories and maintaining cardiovascular fitness. These exercise machines fall into the category of treadmills, elliptical machines, stationary bicycles, cross trainers and the like. Another category of exercise machines and devices popular among exercise buffs focuses on isolating and toning specific muscle groups in the body such as abdominal muscles, lea muscles, arm muscles etc. However, exercise machines specifically focused on maintaining the health of the various joints in the body are not well known in the art.

Joints or articulations play a pivotal role in maintaining movement of the skeletal system in the human body. Maintaining the health of the movable joints such as the ball and socket joints of the shoulders and hips, the hinge joints of the elbows and knees and the gliding joints of the wrists and ankles are critical in ensuring the mobility of the human body. Yet, not enough attention has been given to developing exercise machines and exercise devices to condition and tone the various movable joints in the human body or in restoring their health after an injury or surgery.

Post surgical rehabilitation of the body's hinge joints and ball and socket joints pose a particular challenge. After surgery, swelling in the joints of the knees and shoulders limit the functional range of motion of the legs and arms and delay their healing and rehabilitation process. Swelling in the knee after surgery limits the ability of the knee to move through its maximum range of motion and decreases the contractile ability of the quadriceps and hip flexor musculature which in turn impairs the ability to walk properly and slows down the recovery process. A similar impairment manifests in the shoulder joints after surgery. Thus, there is a need in the art for exercise machines and exercise devices that isolate and condition the movable joints of the body and maintain their health after an injury or surgery.

The use of portable resistance bands to train particular muscle groups in the body have gained in popularity in the last decade because of their ease of use as compared to the heavy machines with resistance cords, cables, and pulley devices. Most resistance bands in the market are comprised of an elongated stretch of rubber tubing with handles that require a user to stand on the bands and pull up, down, or sideways to maintain and release resistance according to the capacity of the user. Many of these elastic type band/tubing and handle systems do not provide stability when used for strengthening the targeted muscles. In addition, they do not specifically isolate and condition the movable joints.

There is a need in the art for a simple exercise device that is primarily focused on maintaining joint health as well as restoring joint health after an injury or surgery. There is also a need for such an exercise device to be portable to facilitate ease of use at home or when traveling, without the need to go to a gym. The present invention provides such an exercise device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes a deficiency in the prior art for an exercise machine or device specifically constructed to tone and condition the movable joints in the human body when the joints are healthy and for their rehabilitation after an injury or surgery.

An exemplary embodiment of the present invention is comprised of a tubular resistance band assembly made of durable material with an interchangeable ankle strap and/or hand grip pad having a hook and loop fastening arrangement and a band holder at the opposite end having a means to hold the resistance band in place when a door is closed upon the band holder. In this embodiment, the means to hold the resistance band in place is a cylindrical thick loop knot at the top end of the band holder which is placed in the hinge side of the door beyond the door and door frame and holds the band holder and the connected resistance band securely in place when the door is closed.

In the exemplary embodiment of the invention, the tubular resistance band of the invention is secured to the door through the band holder at one end and the ankle grip strap configured at the other end of the resistance band is placed around the ankle of a user of the device. In this embodiment, the individual wishing to exercise the knee joint sits in a chair with a pillow or rolled towel placed under the knee atop the chair to facilitate floating the foot above the ground. While seated in this position, the ankle of the floating foot is placed inside and enclosed within the ankle strap and secured with the hook and loop fastening arrangement which causes the foot to float further upward. In this embodiment of the invention, a 12 to 18 inch unattached strap is placed around the heel of the foot and secured to the ankle grip strap through a hook and loop fastening arrangement to provide stabilization to the ankle grip strap and prevent it from moving up or down the ankle. The knee of the floating foot is then swung down using momentum at which point the resistance band automatically swings the knee back up to its original position in a bouncing motion. This action is repeated several times during the day or as recommended by the health professional to tone and exercise the knee joint after an injury or surgery.

In yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the resistance band of the invention is secured to the door through the band holder at one end and the padded grip strap with the hook and loop fastening arrangement configured at the other end of the resistance band is placed around the palm of the hand having the injured shoulder enclosing the four fingers with the thumb on the outside. In this embodiment of the invention, a 12 to 18 inch unattached strap is placed around the wrist of the hand and secured to the hand grip strap through a hook and loop fastening arrangement to provide stabilization to the hand grip strap and prevent it from moving up or down the wrist. In this embodiment of the invention, the individual wishing to exercise the shoulder joints while in a standing position holds the grip padding on the resistance band with the palms facing down. In this position, with the resistance band at arm's length, the palm is brought down to the hip and front of the body and the resistance band then automatically swings the shoulder back up to its original position. This action is repeated several times a day or as recommended by the health professional to tone and exercise the shoulder joint after an injury or surgery.

The process of performing active assistive range of motion exercises, such as the exercise this device allows the user to perform, is proven to decrease joint swelling. Decreased joint swelling allows for improved range of motion through the ability to reach end range with knee and shoulder flexion and extension and limits scar tissue formation, another complication that slows recovery. Decreased joint swelling allows for proper gait performance and speeds post surgical recovery by allowing the patient to walk and use their arms with the least restrictive assistive device or no assistive device at all.

The embodiments of the joint health exercise device and system of the present invention as described can be used in toning and exercising the joints of the body after injury, or surgery as well as when the joints are healthy.

In this summary of the invention and in the specification in general, the various references to “the exemplary embodiment” and “yet another exemplary embodiment” do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment (s). Rather, these references to the various embodiments only mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in conjunction with an embodiment is included in at least some embodiments, but not necessarily all embodiments of the invention. The objects, features and advantages of the joint exercise system of the present invention described through its various embodiments in this summary of the invention will be further appreciated and will become obvious to one skilled in the art when viewed in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, detailed description of the invention, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the joint health exercise device of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the use of the joint exercise device in one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the use of the joint exercise device in a second embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is an exercise device and system for toning, conditioning and exercising the various joints in the human body to keep them healthy both before and after an injury or surgery to the joints. The embodiments of the invention comprise an exercise kit that is light weight, portable and easy to use at home or when traveling.

The joint health exercise device of the present invention speeds post-operative recovery of the joints in the body through a painless exercise system that reduces pain and swelling in the joints, decreases post-surgical scar tissue formation by keeping the joints in repetitive motion and increases the post-surgical range of motion of the limb connected to the joint. The exercise system of the invention replaces the continuous passive machines (CPM) in the market.

Referring now to the drawings, more particularly to FIG. 1 the figure shows a perspective view of the exemplary embodiment of the joint health exercise device 20 of the invention. The device 20 comprises of a tubular resistance band 10 constructed from a thick and sturdy rubber tubing material capable of extending and contracting when resistance is applied to it. The tubular resistance band 10 has two stopper inserts 2 a and 2 b at the two ends of the tubular resistance band 10. A band holder 12 constructed from a sturdy non-slip coated material is inserted into the tubular resistance band 10 at the end having the stopper insert 2 a through a reinforced insertion hole 3 a at bottom end of the band holder 12. The top end of the band holder 12 is configured with a cylindrical thick loop knot 1 to be placed in the hinge side of a sturdy door with the loop knot 1 inserted beyond the door and door frame. When the band holder 12 with the loop knot 1 is thus positioned on the door and the door closed, the band holder 12 is secured in place on the door to enable the use of the joint health exercise device 20. In this embodiment of the joint exercise device 20 the other end of the tubular resistance band 10 having the stopper insert 2 b is inserted through a reinforced insertion hole 3 b configured in the middle of a padded, ankle/hand grip strap 14 having a hook and loop fastening arrangement.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the use of the joint exercise device 20 in one embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the band holder 12 of the joint exercise device 20 is placed in the hinge side of a sturdy, rugged door 18 with the loop knot 1 inserted behind the door and door frame and the door 18 is closed completely and securely onto the band holder 12 through the loop knot 1. The height at which the band holder 12 is placed between the door 18 and its door frame is approximately two thirds of the height of the user. With the door 18 thus securely holding the band holder 12 of the joint health exercise device 20 by means of the loop knot 1, the tubular resistance band 10 and the ankle/hand grip strap 14 remain on the other side of the door 18. On the side of door 18 that holds the resistance band 10 and the ankle/hand grip strap 14 a user 30 sits on a chair 32 with a firm pillow or rolled towel 34 placed under the knee 4 of the leg that has the knee injury or has undergone a knee joint surgery. Once the firm pillow or rolled towel 34 is placed under the knee 4 atop the chair 32, the foot of the leg floats slightly above the ground in an easy resting position. Holding the leg in this position, the ankle/hand grip strap 14 with the hook and loop fastening arrangement is placed around the ankle of the floating foot and secured to the ankle by closing the hook and loop arrangement of the ankle/hand grip strap 14. Securing the ankle/hand grip 14 thus around the ankle of the foot, causes the leg to float further up as illustrated in this figure through the arrows and dotted lines which are used for illustrative purposes only and are not part of the joint exercise device 20. A 12 to 18 inch unattached strap 16 is placed around the heel of the foot and secured to the ankle/hand grip strap 14 through a hook and loop fastening arrangement to provide stabilization to the ankle/hand grip strap 14 and prevent it from moving up or down the ankle Once the foot floats up from the ground after the ankle/hand grip strap 14 is secured around the ankle of the foot, the user 30 using momentum can swing the knee 4 and foot down at which point the resistance band 10 will automatically swing the foot and knee 4 back up in a firm but gentle bouncing motion. This exercise can be repeated several times to keep the injured or operated knee 4 mobile and to increase its range of motion so that it does not get stiff which frequently results from injury or surgical procedure to the knee 4. Keeping the knee 4 mobile in this manner also reduces pain and swelling and decreases post-surgical scar tissue formation. The decreased joint swelling of the knee 4 achieved by means of this exercise routine using the joint health exercise device 20 of the invention, allows for improved range of motion of the knee 4 and the ability to reach end range with knee flexion and extension. Continuing this exercise routine using the joint health exercise device 20 speeds up functional recovery time of the knee and leg and facilitates standing, sitting and walking, with the least restrictive assistive device or no assistive device at all.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the use of the joint health exercise device 20 in a second embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment of the joint health exercise device 20 the band holder 12 of the joint exercise device 20 is placed in the hinge side of a sturdy, rugged door 18 with the loop knot 1 inserted behind the door and door frame and the door 18 closed completely and securely onto the band holder 12 through the loop knot 1. Once the door 18 is securely closed, the resistance band 10 with the ankle/grip strap 14 hangs down on the other side of the door 18. A user with a shoulder injury or surgery to the shoulders wishing to use the joint health exercise device 20 stands next to the door 18 at arm's length of the resistance band 10. The ankle/hand grip strap 14 with the hook and loop fastening arrangement is secured around the palms and the four fingers of the hand with the thumb remaining outside. A 12 to 18 inch unattached strap 16 is placed around the wrist of the hand and secured to the ankle/hand grip strap 14 through a hook and loop fastening arrangement to provide stabilization to the ankle/hand grip strap 14 and to prevent it from moving up or down the wrist. In this position, with the resistance band 10 at arm's length, the palm of the hand secured in the ankle/grip strap 14 is brought down to the hip and front of the body bringing the shoulder 5 also down in the process at which point the resistance band 10 automatically swings the shoulder 5 back up as illustrated through the dotted lines and arrows showing the direction of the motion. Repeating this exercise using the joint health exercise device 20 several times a day improves the range of motion of the shoulders, shoulder flexion, abduction, scaption and extension and limits scar tissue formation.

The foregoing description of the joint health exercise device and system of the present invention through its figures and preferred embodiments should not be construed to limit the scope of the invention. It should be understood and obvious to those skilled in the art that other possible variations, modifications and applications of the embodiments described are also within the spirit and scope of the invention and the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A joint health exercise device comprising: a tubular resistance band structure member; a band holder structure member hingedly connected to a first end of said tubular resistance band structure member through a hole at the bottom end of said band holder structure member; a loop knot structure member configured at the top end of said band holder structure member; an ankle/hand grip strap structure member hingedly connected to a second end of said tubular resistance band structure member through a hole in the middle of the said ankle/hand grip strap structure member; said ankle/hand grip structure member having a hook and loop fastening arrangement; a set of stopper inserts at the said first and the said second ends of the said tubular resistance band structure member to hold the said band holder structure member and the said ankle/hand grip structure member; and an unattached strap structure member with a hook and loop fastening arrangement to stabilize and secure the said ankle/hand grip strap structure member from moving up or down the ankle or wrist.
 2. The joint health exercise device of claim 1 wherein the said band holder structure member is placed in the hinged side of a door with the loop knot structure member inserted behind the door and the door frame to hold the tubular resistance band structure member securely in place attached to the door.
 3. The joint health exercise device of claim 1 wherein the ankle/hand grip strap structure member is secured around the ankle using the hook and loop fastening arrangement to exercise the knee joint.
 4. The joint exercise device of claim 1 wherein the unattached strap structure member with the hook and loop fastening arrangement is placed around the heel of the foot and secured to the ankle/hand grip strap structure member.
 5. The joint health exercise device of claim 1 wherein the ankle/hand grip strap structure member is secured around the palm of a hand and the fingers leaving the thumb out to exercise the shoulder joints.
 6. The joint exercise device of claim 1 wherein the unattached strap structure member with the hook and loop fastening arrangement is placed around the wrist of the hand and secured to the ankle/hand grip strap structure member.
 7. A method of exercising the knee joint, the method comprising: providing a joint health exercise device comprising a tubular resistance band having a band holder with a loop knot attached to one end and an ankle grip strap with a hook and loop fastening arrangement attached to the other end; placing the band holder in the hinge side of a door with the loop knot inserted behind the door and the door frame to hold the tubular resistance band securely in place attached to the door; placing the ankle grip strap with the hook and loop fastening arrangement around the ankle of a user seated in a chair with a pillow or rolled towel under the knee atop the chair to enable the foot to float over the ground; placing an unattached strap with a hook and loop fastening arrangement around the heel of the foot and securing it to the ankle grip strap to stabilize and prevent the ankle grip strap from moving up or down the ankle; and swinging the knee downward and allowing the knee to swing back up automatically to exercise the knee joint of the user.
 8. A method of exercising the shoulder joint, the method comprising: providing a joint health exercise device comprising a tubular resistance band having a band holder with a loop knot attached to one end and a hand grip strap with a hook and loop fastening arrangement attached to the other end; placing the band holder in the hinge side of a door with the loop knot inserted behind the door and the door frame to hold the tubular resistance band securely in place attached to the door; placing the hand grip strap around the palm and fingers of a user's hand while the user is standing next to the door at arm's length of the tubular resistance band; placing an unattached strap with a hook and loop fastening arrangement around the wrist of the hand and securing it to the hand grip strap to stabilize and prevent the hand grip strap from moving up or down the wrist; and bringing the hand down to the hip and front of the user and allowing the hand to automatically swing back up to exercise the shoulder joint of the user. 